My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Convert high-value prospects who initially don't respond into confirmed meetings or partnerships
Business development professionals, entrepreneurs, content creators, or anyone trying to connect with busy, successful people
2-8 weeks per prospectWhat Success Looks Like
Getting responses from previously unresponsive high-value prospects, converting cold outreach into meetings, and building relationships with people who receive hundreds of requests weekly
Steps to Execute
Send initial personalized outreach with specific value proposition
Wait 3-4 days, then send follow-up with additional context or social proof
Third follow-up after 1 week with different angle or recent achievement
Continue following up every 4-7 days with new information, questions, or opportunities
Maintain persistence through 8-10 follow-ups before considering the lead cold
Track all interactions and vary the approach each time
Don't take non-response personally - assume they're busy, not rejecting
Checklist
Inputs Needed
- Target contact information (email, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Research on target's recent activities, interests, achievements
- Clear value proposition for the meeting or partnership
- Social proof or credibility indicators
- CRM or tracking system for follow-ups
Outputs
- Higher response rates from busy prospects
- Confirmed meetings with previously unresponsive targets
- Built relationships with high-value contacts
- Data on effective messaging approaches
Example
“A podcast host wants to interview a billionaire CEO. After initial outreach gets no response, they follow up 8 more times over 6 weeks, varying approaches from recent business news mentions to mutual connections to specific value propositions. The 9th follow-up finally gets a yes because it shows genuine persistence and preparation.”
Related Knowledge
Pain Threshold Success Framework
A mental model stating that an individual's success is directly proportional to their ability to tolerate and persist through difficulty, discomfort, and extended periods of uncertainty without external validation or immediate rewards.
Multi-Domain Excellence Pattern
A pattern observed in high achievers where individuals who reach extreme success in one domain typically demonstrate above-average performance in 2-3 other seemingly unrelated areas, suggesting transferable meta-skills and competitive mindset.
Everything Is Wrong at First - Iteration Model
A mental framework assuming that initial versions of any product, strategy, or business model will be fundamentally flaw
Pain tolerance is the primary determinant of business success
Focus on building systems and mindsets that increase tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort rather than just seeking e
Your success is directly correlated with your pain threshold.
The ability to endure difficulty and uncertainty without giving up determines how much success you can achieve in busine
Winners seem to win in a bunch of areas.
People who achieve extreme success in one area typically demonstrate above-average performance in 2-3 other seemingly un